The language barrier between immigrant parents and their English-dominant children is a pervasive and relatively unrecognized problem in an estimated 12 million U.S. households. This intergenerational language gap often leads to adverse health outcomes for both children and adults for the following reasons: (1) it hinders young children's ability to communicate with their parents when they feel sick; and (2) as children are inevitably relied upon as interpreters for family members during office visits and medical emergencies, they are ill-prepared both linguistically and mentally for such a difficult task. This project seeks to develop a television program that can bridge the intergenerational language gap and improve the health status of all members of an immigrant household. During our Phase I study, we developed a pilot episode and successfully demonstrated that it was an effective tool for achieving both of the stated educational goals. This Phase II proposal seeks to build on that foundation and create a six-episode animated series, focusing on the issue of childhood nutrition and obesity prevention amongst the Hispanic population.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed project will develop an innovative television series that combines language and health education and can be enjoyed by both children and parents. The television program aims to enhance children's language skills in their heritage language, improve immigrant parents' English proficiency, provide exposure to important health concepts, and promote intergenerational communication. ? ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44HD054080-02
Application #
7482177
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-HOP-E (10))
Program Officer
Mccardle, Peggy D
Project Start
2006-09-15
Project End
2011-05-31
Budget Start
2008-06-13
Budget End
2009-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$949,607
Indirect Cost
Name
Transcendent International, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
111850900
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10018